Quake shakes South Texas ...

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A shallow, moderate earthquake struck southern Texas (TX) on Thursday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). It was the strongest earthquakes to hit the U.S. state in 45 years.

The 4.8 magnitude quake, upgraded from 4.6mb, occured at 07:25 AM local time (13:25 PM GMT) and was recorded at an extremely shallow depth of 3km (1.9 miles). It struck below Fashing, but was felt as far as Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Austin.

The epicentre of the quake was located 22 km (14 miles) NW (321°) from Pawnee, TX; 23 km (14 miles) SSW (213°) from Falls City, TX; 26 km (16 miles) WSW (249°) from Karnes City, TX; 60 km (37 miles) NW of Beeville, TX; 76 km (47 miles) SSE (154°) from San Antonio, TX; 92 km (57 miles) E of Pearsall, TX; 166 km (103 miles) SSW of AUSTIN, TX; and 463 km (288 miles) SSW (197°) from Dallas, TX.

The last time Texas experienced a tremor similar in intensity to Thursday’s quake was on July 20, 1966. The magnitude 4.8 earthquake was centred in the Panhandle, near Borger and Amarillo.

The most recent earthquake to strike the region hit on 25 April, 2010. The 4.0 magnitude earthquake was recorded 56 km west of Corpus Christi.

Boy Scout saves choking friend

KPRC - A 12-year-old boy saved a friend from choking at school by using skills he learned as a Boy Scout.

During lunch one day in the Smith Middle School cafeteria in Cypress, Texas, Chase Greer said his friend started choking on his food.

He said learning the Heimlich maneuver and practicing it with the Boy Scouts helped save his friend's life.

"It was different because I had somebody's life in my hands," Chase said. "I knew if I didn't do it correctly or fast enough it could turn for the worst."

Chase said he didn't think he would ever need to use the life-saving skill, but was glad he had it.

"I started patting him on the back to see if that would give him some relief... it did not, so I started doing the Heimlich gently," Chase said.

He said it took 28 tries, and finally, his friend started breathing.

"It took me a few seconds then it hit me... this was huge," Chase said.

The Scout of four years recommends that everyone take a first aid training course and learn the Heimlich maneuver because you never know when you're going to need it.

KPRC